The Portuguese weather service was right to put the Algarve on red alert as storms and rain lashed the region on Sunday.
The uncannily accurate prediction that all would be over by 3pm none-the-less left high seas raging along the west coast and a mop-up operation in many villages, towns and cities.
The wind hit 80kmph with driving, heavy rain causing flooding in commercial and domestic premises.
The worst hit was Albufeira, no stranger to problems wherever there is heavy rainfall, with many bars and businesses flooded. Quarteira was not far behind as locals assess the damage caused by a metre of standing water.
The fire service was operating at full capacity as its teams pumped out flooded basements, cleared debris and rescued people unable safely to get to higher ground.
Hundreds of cars have been abandoned and the GNR were forced to block off many roads due to the deep standing water, landslides and empty vehicles.
The wind caused damage too with gusts bringing down trees including in front of Faro railway station and in Olhão where parked cars have been damaged.
Many of the Algarve’s ports have been closed to shipping unless seeking emergency shelter.
The back road from Ferragudo to Lagoa is flooded, as it always does, and most areas of low lying ground across the region have been affected.
Albufeira council chiefs on Monday are assessing the damage to dozens of shops and bars to see whether the flooding warrants the declaration of a 'public disaster.'
There currently is a lull with on/off rain/sun through the week as the weather improves.
Picture of downtown Albufeira by Fernando Varela
